Traction device



Oqt. 3, 1944. M, s E 2,359,586

TRACTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 9, 1943 V VOV V0 O 1 0 030 Patented Oct. 3,1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,359,586 TRACTION DEVICE Daniel M.Saylcr, Richmond, Calif.

Application November 9, 1943, Serial No. 509,635

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a traction device and has for an object toprovide a pneumatic rubber tread for an endless track, adapted topromote traction by the provision of a pneumatic tire unit for each linkof the track adapted to sink into soft ground much in the nature 01' aheavy cleat, and further to reduce shocks andjars to the parts of thetractor or other machine for increasing the life of the machine, andfurther to promote easy riding on hard surfaces and thus reduce fatigueof the operator, and further to promote ease of steering.

A further object is to provide apparatus of this character which will beformed of a few strong, simple and durable parts, which will beinexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modifications may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims with out departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an endless track equipped with apneumatic tire formed of units attached to respective links,

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the pneumatic tire units and portionsof two adjacent units.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through one of the units taken on theline 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view showing the base plate, inner rim,and a sectional outer rim of one of the units, the parts being shownseparated.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate similar parts in the various views, In designates aconventional endless track formed of links H connected by pivot pins l2and driven by respective cog rollers In carrying out the invention eachunit of the pnuematic rubber tread comprises a. fiat base plate I4adapted to be bolted to the links H by bolts l5 formed integral with thebase plate and provided with respective nuts I6 adapted to enage thelink of the endless track, see Figure 3.

The base plate is substantially rectangular in contour.

An inner rim ll of like contour is welded or otherwise secured to theouter side of the base plate. A sectional rim is carried by the baseplate and comprises a pair of substantially U- shaped sections l8 whichmay be assembled with the inner rim by endless sliding movement on thebase plate toward each other. The sectional rim is removably secured tothe inner rim by screw bolts l9 engaged through registering openings 20and 2| in the outer rim sections and in the inner rim.

A rubber tread and casing 22 of substantially semispherical crosssection, and of substantially rectangular outline, is provided withinextensible beads 23 all around the marginal edge adapted to be clampedbetween the inner rim l1 and outer rim l8 by the aforesaid screw boltsIS.

A pneumatic inner tube 24 is mounted upon the base plate within theinner rim l1 and within the tread and casing 22. The inner tube isequipped with an inflating valve 25 which extends through an opening 26in the base plate.

The inflatable inner tube is provided at that portion thereof close tothe outer edge of the inner rim, with integral beads 21 which are ofgreater thickness than the thickness of the wall of the inner tube andprevent pinching of the inner tube between the tread and casing and theinner rim.

The pneumatic rubber tread casing of each unit acts as a cleat topromote traction in difficult terrain and also the resiliency thereofpromotes easy riding as well as reduces shocks and jars to increase thelong life of the track and the machine to which it is applied.

From the above description it is thought that the construction andoperation of the invention will be fully understood without furtherexplanation.

What is claimed is:

1. A pneumatic tread endles track, comprisingtwo endless .series oflinks connected together by pivot pins which in turn connect the twoseries of links together, a fiat base plate secured to each link andprovided with a rim around all sides thereof, a pneumatic tire on theoutside of said rim, and sectional securing rims clamping the tire tothe first mentioned rim.

2. A pneumatic tread endless track, comprising two endless eries oflinks connected together by pivot pins which in turn connect the twoseries of links together, a flat base plate mounted on each link andprovided with inwardly extending lugs passing through the links,securing means on the inner ends of the said lugs, a pneumatic tire onthe outside of the base plate, and sectional securing rims for clampingthe tire to the base plate.

oi links, an outwardly extending rim arranged around all sides oi thebase plate, a pneumatic tire on the outside of the rim. and sectionalsecuring rims clamping the tire to the first men- 5 tioned rim. V

DANIEL M. SAYLER.

